I hope you don't own a gun.
- paulr

What does a gun have to do with it? What is wrong with playing hard, and making life hard for the opposition? And yes, I hate the player tributes before the games when ex-players return. There is no place for it during competition (while that player is wearing a different uni).

Favorite things from this season:

1. Kane
2. Strome/Perlini for Tinkerbell

But please....let's dispense with the "We gotta beat the Blues" mantra.

It rings just as hollow as a 2-10 Bears team getting all pumped to play a 10-2 Packers team. Any points gained drive their draft position down, and it also suggests that they somehow care more and can give more effort in those games. If the potential for more effort can be there for those vanity games, then where was it elsewhere during the year?

It is going to be a long way back to legitimate cup contention - as in 19/88 will never sniff a chance again. However, maybe not so long to be a four and out playoff team drafting #15 again if they get repeat performances from core guys and happen to be able to substitute some has beens and wannabes with true NHL talent.

Eight years of inattention to the pipeline of new players cost this team dearly. Maybe the last two draft seasons bear some fruit - very much TBD.

I am anxiously awaiting McD's spin when asked about his belief this was a playoff team - if he allows that question at all.
- Return of the Roar

Why are you or anyone else so butt hurt over something an exec said? I swear some of you act like it was a personal promise he re-negged on.

I never said they were doomed.

I said their D is a disaster, and their inability of role guys to help chip in on a consistent basis also played a large part in their missing the playoffs.

Do they have some nice pieces? Sure....are they closer to a cup now then were they were last year? Debatable. I don't think they took a step back, but they got a lot of BIG years from key guys and they had a small increase in the standings.

BIg offseason for Stan. Has to get help on that blue line.
- SteveRain

Want big time help on D? Better be prepared to dangle some of your best forwards as trade chips. And you know that won't be viewed favourably on this board.

Want big time help on D? Better be prepared to dangle some of your best forwards as trade chips. And you know that won't be viewed favourably on this board.
- RickJ

I don't disagree but I think it's fair to say they don't have a top pair D man on this team today.

Murphy and Keith are 3/4s and Gus/Seabrook are bottom pair guys

What would be your fix?

Why are you or anyone else so butt hurt over something an exec said? I swear some of you act like it was a personal promise he re-negged on.
- HawkintheD

I think it's because they believed him.

Why are you or anyone else so butt hurt over something an exec said? I swear some of you act like it was a personal promise he re-negged on.
- HawkintheD

Also, two minutes for instigating. No game misconduct, though, just a minor.

Also, two minutes for instigating. No game misconduct, though, just a minor.
- mohel

Coming from you, that's funny. You're a frequent offender.

Coming from you, that's funny. You're a frequent offender.
- I Am The Breadman

Yeah, gotta little Burish sometimes.

I will also add that Justin has done a fantastic job keeping us informed, providing great blogs to inspire equally great back and forth discussions and lastly promoting a more civil tone/environment to discuss Blackhawk Hockey - Stick taps to Justin!!!

The Seabs contract really looks like it might be what keeps this team from being a legit playoff team. Swap that contract out for a legit top 4 D-men and the Hawks look a lot better. I love Seabs but that contract is just crippling and I am not sure their is anything the Hawks can do about it b/c Strome and Dcat will need to be paid in a year. You have to hope that 1-2 D prospects step in and play like experienced top 4 defenders. Those ECLs offset Seabs boat anchor.

Correct me if I am wrong but the Hawks still can't use the Hossa cap space until the start of each season correct? Cap compliant on day 1 then the space can be used?
- bhawks2241

Hossa was traded to ARI last summer. His LTIR effects their cap not Chicago's.

I don't disagree but I think it's fair to say they don't have a top pair D man on this team today.

Murphy and Keith are 3/4s and Gus/Seabrook are bottom pair guys

What would be your fix?
- SteveRain

I was never a Barry Trotz admirer but look what he has done with the Islanders. System change has worked with an average group of defenceman and their goalies have performed well above past performance charts. And they lost Tavares to boot.

I also think it might be time to dangle Kane in trade talks if he agreed it was in the best interest of his remaining hockey career. With a good team he is still great. A team like Florida with a goaltender and Kane is a SC contender, certainly a playoff team.

Aaron Ekblad in return? Love the kid but would be worried about his concussion history.[img][/img]

I will also add that Justin has done a fantastic job keeping us informed, providing great blogs to inspire equally great back and forth discussions and lastly promoting a more civil tone/environment to discuss Blackhawk Hockey - Stick taps to Justin!!!
- glennjpawlak22

I agree, and he did it without phony made up trade rumours.

I was never a Barry Trotz admirer but look what he has done with the Islanders. System change has worked with an average group of defenceman and their goalies have performed well above past performance charts. And they lost Tavares to boot.

I also think it might be time to dangle Kane in trade talks if he agreed it was in the best interest of his remaining hockey career. With a good team he is still great. A team like Florida with a goaltender and Kane is a SC contender, certainly a playoff team.

Aaron Ekblad in return? Love the kid but would be worried about his concussion history.
- RickJ[img][/img]

Rick, I brought up the Islanders example for days. It went over like a turd in a punch bowl.

I was never a Barry Trotz admirer but look what he has done with the Islanders. System change has worked with an average group of defenceman and their goalies have performed well above past performance charts. And they lost Tavares to boot.

I also think it might be time to dangle Kane in trade talks if he agreed it was in the best interest of his remaining hockey career. With a good team he is still great. A team like Florida with a goaltender and Kane is a SC contender, certainly a playoff team.

Aaron Ekblad in return? Love the kid but would be worried about his concussion history.
- RickJ[img][/img]

Never thought it possible but Trotz has Leddy playing some semblance of defense. It's a shame Leddy never bought into it when he was on the Hawks or he may still be here.

The 2nd half of the season the Hawks were better and hopefully they can use that performance as a basis to improve next season. I will admit though that during the 1st half and watching some terrible hockey I did get some perverse enjoyment seeing it happen. I'd sit there thinking how bad can they be tonight?

The highlight for me this season is/was el Gato. It's nice to see him prove me and some other early doubters wrong by following up a nice rookie season with an even better sophomore year. He worked hard over the off-season and it showed. He's the smallest guy on the team and will probably again play in all 82 games. He manages to avoid getting lit up most nights but even when he does he just bounces right back up.

Now onto a decent pick in the draft and to figure out a way to improve the defense.

Never thought it possible but Trotz has Leddy playing some semblance of defense. It's a shame Leddy never bought into it when he was on the Hawks or he may still be here.
- paulr

He was 23 when the Hawks moved him.

It’s too bad salary cap concerns (and, maybe, some Stan-decisions) didn’t give the Hawks time to develop him to his full potential.

Same with Teravainen - traded at 22. Schmaltz - traded at 22 (altho I certainly like the return).

Never thought it possible but Trotz has Leddy playing some semblance of defense. It's a shame Leddy never bought into it when he was on the Hawks or he may still be here.
- paulr

Don't forget what Lamarello has done (after losing his power struggle with Shanahan in Toronto). His off season transactions (obtaining Lehner on a "show me" contract, Komorov, Fiillipa, Martin, as depth, and culture signings, everyone was panning, but they have definitely added depth to their bottom 6 as well as being strong defensive forwards. Reuniting Martin with Ciikas and Clutterbuck make the Isles' 4th line one of the best in the league.

That would be true if they still had Hossa on their roster - which they don't since he was traded to AZ last summer.
- EbonyRaptor

Yeah.. I'm dumb.

He was 23 when the Hawks moved him.

It’s too bad salary cap concerns (and, maybe, some Stan-decisions) didn’t give the Hawks time to develop him to his full potential.

Same with Teravainen - traded at 22. Schmaltz - traded at 22 (altho I certainly like the return).
- StLBravesFan

So it's acceptable not to learn his craft at 23? What age do you think is old enough to learn the most important aspect of the position?

Want big time help on D? Better be prepared to dangle some of your best forwards as trade chips. And you know that won't be viewed favourably on this board.
- RickJ

Depends on what Defender is coming back. The guy who looks to be the odd man out is Brandon Saad. Unable to lock down a Top 6 spot all season, I think there are some major improvements on Defense that could be acquired around a Saad+ package. A Legit Top 4 Defender under age 28 that can make a clean breakout pass, skate well, and protect the Hawks' net with some physicality.

Yeah.. I'm dumb.
- bhawks2241

Please don't say that, it was an honest mistake that Ebony pointed out in a non-demeaning way. We all make mistakes, I probably do it more often than most.

Don't forget what Lamarello has done (after losing his power struggle with Shanahan in Toronto). His off season transactions (obtaining Lehner on a "show me" contract, Komorov, Fiillipa, Martin, as depth, and culture signings, everyone was panning, but they have definitely added depth to their bottom 6 as well as being strong defensive forwards. Reuniting Martin with Ciikas and Clutterbuck make the Isles' 4th line one of the best in the league.
- LAHawk

Not sure there was a power struggle with Lamarello and Shanahan? Shanahan hired Lamarello to mentor his GMs and that's what happened. If there was a power struggle it was with Dubas and Hunter.

But to your point, I agree Lamarello has done a great job and part of that job, along with what you said, was hiring Trotz.

Toews, Kane, Cat and Strome are by far the highlights of the season for me. Watching Toews rediscover his Elite play is probably #1 of the 4 impressive seasons from the Hawks dynamic duos from 2 generations. Kane was on McDavid/Kucherov level for 1/2 the season, and that was a treat to watch.


Hawks win the #3 lottery ball next Tuesday

Depends on what Defender is coming back. The guy who looks to be the odd man out is Brandon Saad. Unable to lock down a Top 6 spot all season, I think there are some major improvements on Defense that could be acquired around a Saad+ package. A Legit Top 4 Defender under age 28 that can make a clean breakout pass, skate well, and protect the Hawks' net with some physicality.
- EnzoD

How can the Hawks acquire a top 4 defenseman for what you call an "odd man out forward who can't lock down a top 6 spot"?

So it's acceptable not to learn his craft at 23? What age do you think is old enough to learn the most important aspect of the position?
- paulr

Didn’t they used to say that defensemen (in particular) didn’t really learn how to play the position until 27-28? Why would that have changed.

How about almost no time in Rockford after his college play (only 53 games - not enough except for the superstars, IMO, but I’ve said that before)?

What the hard cap has done is put young players on rosters before they have learned how to be hockey players, not just skaters or shooters - not just one dimensional players who have no good idea of what to do without the puck, when the other team has the puck....

But then - I’m one who thinks that DeBrincat, Strome, Perlini could have benefitted from more substantial time in Rockford.